The Art of Her Project | Amanda Reitzell

For those of us who are working moms, it's no surprise that juggling both takes its toll. Amanda, a mother of two children, unveils her journey of paving her own path through this difficulty.

Determined to find a better way, Amanda emerged from the struggles with guilt and societal pressure laid on her by trying to be there for her family while also being there for her employers. Realizing that creating her own way of doing the "work-life balance" was her ticket to success. Thus, All In Balance Bookkeeping was born—an enterprise not only allowing Amanda to chart her own course but also providing respite for small business owners burdened by financial stress.

Amanda also discovers newfound strength within herself, surprising even her own doubting heart. Her story confronts the influence of her gender on her journey, shedding light on the discrimination faced by women—particularly those with children—in their quest to rise in the corporate realm, and results in the unstoppable resilience and empowerment building her own thriving business in the belief that you can, in fact, have it all.

This is the Art of Amanda,

This is the Art of Her.

Interview with Amanda Ritzell

Jessica: Tell us about you, The woman.

Amanda: I am a mother of two children one with special needs(high functioning autism). I am a business owner of All In Balance Bookkeeping. I have spent most of my life here in Tucson.

Jessica: Tells us about Your Story.

Amanda: Ever since I entered the workforce in my 20s I have been told and believed that you cannot be a successfull business woman in any leadership role if you are going to be a mother. After I had my first daughter I left that original job after I couldn't handle the guilt placed on me if I had to miss any work because of my daughter. The new job was much better but after I had my son and he started kindergarten I was missing a lot of work because that's when his behavioral issues started appearing. Again the guilt from being told for so long that missing work was unacceptable I felt like a horrible employee even though these bosses were completely understanding. It was then I realized that work life balance is the most important aspect of life and that I was entitled to be able to be the mom I wanted to be and also have a successful career. That's what prompted me to start All In Balance Bookkeeping so I could balance my life how I want to and help relieve the stress of finances for small business owners in hopes it will free up more time for them to have more balance.

Jessica: Tell me about a specific experience as it surrounds your story of what you had to endure or work through as you pushed to rise?

Amanda: I started my business right before covid hit so I was trying to build a successful business while homeschooling and worrying about the mental health of my kids. It was during this time that we finally got the autism diagnosis for my son throwing another flaming ax into the juggling mix. I was determined to make the business work so I could have the flexibility I need as a mom.

Jessica: What surprised you about yourself in the moments surrounding the event?

Amanda: I never thought I would be able to successfully run my own company and accomplish my goals. I guess I never really believed in myself that much or thought I was smart enough.

Jessica: What surprised you about others as it is connected to your event?

Amanda: People really need my services and value my professionalism they take me seriously and respect the fact that my family comes first.

Jessica: Do you feel being a woman had any significant bearing on this event?  

Amanda: I do believe being a woman had a great deal to do all the negative speak that was programmed into my head even though it was done so by a woman. Woman have notoriously been discriminated against when it comes to rising in the work force especially if they have children.

Jessica: What would you say you learned about yourself or others during this event?

Amanda: I learned I am enough. I'm smart enough determined enough and capable of doing anything I put my mind to.

Jessica: How did this change you?

Amanda: Before I always knew I was a hard and loyal worker but I always thought that my skills were just run of the mill and that I was always destined to just be a low level employee. I now know that not everyone has the skills and knowledge I do and that they are an important part of business.

Jessica: How have your values changed?

Amanda: I value my family even more now that I don't feel guilt associated with providing the care and being at everything my kids need me to be.  

Jessica: What is the one piece of advice you would give your younger self?

Amanda: Don't let people put you down or diminish your impact on this world.

Jessica: What would you say has helped you along your healing journey?

Amanda: My clients I tell each one my story and I feel it helps me connect with them and they support me.

Jessica: What is your story of now?

Amanda: I am a successful woman business owner who manages to juggle ALL the things

Jessica: It would be really interesting to hear about any ambitions you have for the future?

Amanda: I would like to become my own boss. I hate being tied to a computer all day without any control of my own schedule and time. I used to not hate this, but I am feeling that my season of change will be me moving towards becoming my own boss. 

Jessica: How would you like people to describe you or see you? Why?

Amanda: As a leader and a survivor. I survived years of discrimination and workplace abuse to come out on top.

Jessica: It would be really interesting to hear about any ambitions you have for the future?

Amanda: To grow my business nationwide and employee more woman whether they are mothers or not.

Jessica: Do you believe growing up female affected these ambitions?

Amanda: Absolutely I think women need more safe places to work where they can be who they are.

Jessica: How do you think you being a woman is perceived by men?

Amanda: I think most men used to see me as weal but now I have a renewed strength and I.think men are starting to see that I am a force to be reckoned with

Jessica: What do you wish other women or young girls knew about themselves?

Amanda: You don't have to choose between being a mother/wife and a career and your strength is buried inside, you just have to have the courage to find it.

Jessica: If you could talk to advertisers right now about advertising to women, what advice would you give them?

Amanda: Empower them, they give new life and bring balance to the world

Creative Credits:

Photography by Jessica Korff Studios

Makeup by: Renee Lanz | Radiate with ReneeJ

Dress Draping: Dresses draped and created by: Jessica Korff

See more about our Art of Her Project HERE>>